Promoting business on a university campus

[Emmi]

I am a graduate of a (large 45k + university). I still recieve regular emails from the school letting me know about current events and goings on at the student unions and throughout the campuses. There is always something going on: late night bowling, movies, workshops, speakers, events.

I am trying to figure out the best way to go about marketing my shiatsu/massage business on campus.

Does anyone have experience with this? Should I try and set up chair massage at one of their events? Offer discounted massage to students and faculty? Play the alumnus card?

The thought of promoting myself in such a large venue is daunting.

 

[devilman bravo]

Promoting business on a university campus

Does anyone have experience with this? Should I try and set up chair massage at one of their events? Offer discounted massage to students and faculty? Play the alumnus card?

The thought of promoting myself in such a large venue is daunting.

i've been toying with this for my local schools. i think the chair thing might be okay but i've never been able to turn chair into tablework.
i'd definitely offer the discount with college id thing. and if you're an alumunus and not playing your card, t017 get crackin t079
alumni are loyal people, usually with disposable income.

 

[Cancan]

I'm with you mush, the likelyhood that a chair client would become a regular is slim. That would probably be the easiest way to get my foot in the door though.

Anyone have ideas on how to market to the college set? I've only been out of it for 6 years but I can't think of anything all that clever.

What do you think an appropriate student discount would be? I don't want to undercut.

I'm also not sure how to play up the fact that I went to school there without being obnoxious.

Suggestions appreciated!

 

[zenda]

A massage therapist in my town got a regular gig at the college through the intramural sports department. She got paid $20 an hour and the department supplied everything. The campus here is small; about 15k. She worked two mornings a week like 8-12 and was booked. The students paid $30 for and hour and $15 for a half hour because they pay the rec fee as part of their tuition or something. The MT who got the thing up and running with the intramural sports dept. ended up leaving for something better. They contacted me, but I could make more money taking appointments at my own business.

But gettting a program going might be a good idea in your case if there is not one already. If you want more specifics I can contact the MT who started it and ask her for more detail in how to approach the college and what to suggest. I think she knew someone who worked there. But if you went to school there you might have an "in" also.

 

[FaithM]

I know that the school has a masage clinic in it's health service building so I am wondering how recepetive they would be with me trying to promote/work my own deal on campus.

I've been thinking of maybe contacting some of the various campus student groups to see if they have an interest in chair work at some of their events/promotions.

 

[old know all]

for pricing the tablework with college id (faculty too), i'd probably offer $5 or $10 off a 30/60 minute. maybe more because i'm not sure if you're mobile, fixed site or both (& what your going rate is).
if you're sports massage oriented, i'd hit up the phys. ed. depts. and persue the athletes and coaches.

my marketing for these would be different. i think i'd get permission to post on the community bulletin boards on campus. the ad for the "general" population would be the '$$$ off with your college id', and the sports ad would be placed in that part of campus, emphasizing what you can do for their sport. maybe that discount might be different from the general one; it depends on how you structure your treatment plan time... maybe spot massage geared to that sport, plus PNF or other stretching.

you can buy an internet ad on the college website, or buy an ad in the college newspaper or alumni newsletter.
don't forget to mention that you are an alumnus. include your year and degree, ie. bs. ba.

okay, i'm rambling....

 

[Tang]

I also live in a town with a university providing a large perceneforum.xxxe of the population. I've been called a few times by the uni newspaper asking me to advertise, but have declined. I am interested in working with faculty and staff, and I do not discriminate against students - every one who has called me has received a massage. But I hesitate to advertise to the general student population, and I don't discount the massages. A lot of my reasoning is because I only do outcalls. (The fitness club I do IC work with is in another town.) I do NOT want to find myself tracking down an address on my way to a client's home, only to find myself in front of a frat house!

I have, however, provided chair massage in a sorrority house during their "weekend retreat", and had a lot of fun doing that. I did 5-20 minute massages and stayed busy for nearly 3 hours straight. (I was only booked for 2 but stayed because there were more who had signed up.) Some could only afford the $5 for a 5 minute, but they happily went with that. Several went for the full 20 minutes.

I have also provided chair massage for a class. It was in the education department, and they were focusing on self-care. I have provided chair massage for a faculty group (one department) just before the fall semester started, and have seen faculty, staff & a few students privately for table massage. It has all been word of mouth advertising, though.

IF a frat house ever called me to do something like I did at the sorrority, I would agree on the condition that I work outside. I would then take my 18 year old son along!! Being in WI, that limits it to a few months of the year, but I will never, EVER go inside a frat house. Or a mens dorm, lol.

I don't offer a discount, partly because I want them to honestly value massage before I go. Most any student could save up for a massage, if it is important to them. They do have cheap massage available at their health center on campus, but what they get is cheap massage. Some prefer to pay my full rate so they will get the massage they need. Another reason I don't offer a discount is because they are not my target client group. If you want to make it your target, then I certainly can see offering a discount. My target group is seniors, so that is who I give a discount to.

I'm not trying to discourage you - just to caution you to really consider your safety while you find a way to work with students.

 

[visual_lace]

By the time I had read through this whole thread, I had totally forgotten the part about setting up chair massage for events. DEFINITELY!! These events are what the students save their discretionary income for.

 

[darkangel_zheinah]

I also live in a college town. I am a student. My class goes to the college in town several times a year to do free massage. The teacher sets it up,or someone from the college calls and ask if we can provide free chair massage to whatever they are doing at the time we are scheduled. Most recent was Thursday the 30th. We went to do chair massage for them, they was having a "Girls Night Out". The turnout was great. We had 11 students and we brought 6 chairs with us,we was busy the whole night even staying over a little while longer than planned. I can't recall any of the chairs empty at all that night. We did 10 minutes for each person,we also had someone doing the paperwork(consent forms) .

I think if you want to market to the college community, that would be a great idea. I ask several of them if they have ever had a massage before,most said yes. I think you would have a decent response. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do .